A. The Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shall promulgate rules and standards for certification of Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors who are:
1. Employed by the state;
2. Employed by behavioral services providers contracting with the state to provide behavioral health services;
3. Employed by a tribe or tribal facility that provides behavioral health services; or
4. Employed by an Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs or a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
B. Such rules and standards shall address criteria for certification and renewal, including minimum education requirements, examination and supervision requirements, continuing education requirements, and rules of professional conduct.
C. Application for certification as a Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor shall be made to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on prescribed forms authorized by the Department. The Board, or the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services upon delegation by the Board, may certify the Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor for a period of two (2) years subject to renewal as provided in the rules promulgated by the Board.
D. The Board is authorized to establish an application and renewal fee of no more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to defray the costs incurred in the certification process.
E. Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors certified by the Board or the Commissioner shall only use the title "Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor" if employed by the state, employed by behavioral services providers contracting with the state to provide behavioral health services, employed by a tribe or tribal facility that provides behavioral health services or employed by an Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs or a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
F. This section shall not be construed to permit the certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor to practice any of the following professions or use the following titles unless also licensed or accredited by the appropriate authority:
1. Physician;
2. Psychologist;
3. Clinical social worker;
4. Professional counselor;
5. Marital and family therapist;
6. Behavioral practitioner; or
7. Alcohol and drug counselor.
G. Failure to comply with the rules and standards promulgated by the Board shall be grounds for revocation, suspension or nonrenewal of certification.
H. No Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor shall operate or continue to operate as a Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor unless the Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor complies with the rules promulgated by the Board and is certified as required by this section.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 246, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.